The scarlet trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is a captivating vine with vibrant flowers and vigorous growth. Also called coral honeysuckle, it offers striking visual appeal. It is a popular choice for gardeners, attracting wildlife without the invasive concerns of other honeysuckle species. Its beauty and adaptability make it a valued landscape addition.
Scarlet Trumpet Honeysuckle Characteristics
Lonicera sempervirens is a twining vine that can reach 10 to 20 feet long. Its oval, bluish-green leaves are often evergreen in warmer climates, becoming deciduous in colder regions. A distinctive feature is the pair of leaves directly below the flowers, joined at their bases to encircle the stem.
Its trumpet-shaped flowers are typically scarlet to orangish-red outside and yellowish inside. These blooms appear in whorled clusters at stem ends from late spring through summer, often continuing into fall. Unlike many other honeysuckles, its flowers are generally non-fragrant or have only a faint scent. After flowering, small, inedible, bright red to orange-red berries develop, adding ornamental interest and attracting birds.
Planting and Care
Site selection is important for scarlet trumpet honeysuckle. It performs best in full sun for abundant flowering, but tolerates partial shade. It adapts to various well-drained soil types, including clay or loam. While preferring slightly acidic soil, it is not pH sensitive.
When planting, moisten the root ball thoroughly. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and of similar depth. Backfill, firming soil gently around roots, and water deeply. Consistent moisture is important during the first growing season for root establishment. Mature plants are relatively drought tolerant but benefit from regular watering during dry spells.
As a vigorous climber, it requires support like a trellis, arbor, fence, or pergola. Fertilization is generally not heavily required; however, a general-purpose fertilizer or a 2-3 inch layer of well-rotted compost or manure can be applied around the base in early spring. Pruning in late winter or early spring shapes the plant, controls size, and encourages new growth for future blooms. Removing about one-third of flowering shoots after blooming also promotes vigor.
Benefits and Landscape Uses
Scarlet trumpet honeysuckle offers several advantages, particularly ecological contributions. Its vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers attract pollinators like hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Its long blooming season provides a consistent nectar source.
A notable benefit is its non-invasive nature, distinguishing it from aggressive honeysuckle species. This makes it an environmentally responsible choice. Aesthetically, this versatile climbing vine provides excellent vertical interest. It can cover trellises, arbors, and fences with dense foliage and a cascade of color. It can also sprawl as a groundcover on slopes or embankments, or shroud unsightly structures.
Common Growing Issues
While generally robust, scarlet trumpet honeysuckle can encounter some growing challenges. Aphids might infest the plant, managed with insecticidal soap or natural predators. Powdery mildew can occur in humid conditions or poor air circulation, appearing as a white coating on leaves. Good air flow and avoiding overhead watering help prevent this.
Lack of blooms is a common concern, often due to insufficient sunlight, as the plant flowers most profusely in full sun. Improper pruning, like cutting back too much previous season’s growth where flowers develop, also reduces flowering. Excessive fertilization, especially with high-nitrogen formulas, might promote leafy growth at the expense of flowers.
Leggy growth, sparse at the base, can occur. This is natural for a climbing vine, which focuses growth upwards. Planting lower-growing plants at the base can conceal legginess and create a fuller appearance. Regular pruning also encourages bushier growth and maintains a desirable form.
Distinguishing From Invasive Honeysuckle
Distinguishing Lonicera sempervirens from invasive honeysuckle species is important for healthy ecosystems. Scarlet trumpet honeysuckle typically features non-fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers (scarlet, orange, or yellow). In contrast, many invasive honeysuckles (e.g., Japanese honeysuckle, Tartarian honeysuckle) often have highly fragrant, smaller, white or yellow flowers that fade to cream.
Stems and leaves offer another distinction. Lonicera sempervirens has solid stems; many invasive varieties have hollow stems when mature. Its leaves are generally bluish-green and joined at the base directly below the flowers. Invasive species often have distinct, separate leaves.
Its berries are typically bright red and appear in clusters, while invasive types might produce red, orange, or black berries more scattered along the stem. Understanding these characteristics helps gardeners identify and choose appropriate, non-harmful plants.